Monday, May 25, 2009

Then it occurred to me that those clothes I'm washing -- they're ours. Mine and my family's. We own them. They don't belong to my employer or worse yet, my owner. They're unique clothes - chosen to fit and compliment someone in my family. They're not oppressively hot with only a window for the eyes. They're weren't given us because we had none. Even better, they don't bear the stripes of a prison or the Star of a concentration camp. Our clothes. Purchased, worn and washed in freedom.

Those dishes? They're dirty because we have enjoyed meals on them. Simple meals, prepared in love and enjoyed around a table under a watertight roof. The scraps placed in the dog's bowl show how very blessed we are to have not only enough, but more than enough. And we ate at our leisure with utensils and cold or hot drinks. Food served on plates, not out of plastic pouches. We didn't huddle over our food in vain effort to keep out the flying sand or the rain. We dined in freedom because others ate MREs and wished for Mom's cooking.

Cleaning, organizing and planting are tiring work when done for one's own family. Imagine those who clean the mansions of a madman only to return home to squalor. Those who plant and harvest gardens and rice all day, then cradle a starving child at night. Those who cook for thousands of troops until they're too tired to nourish their own body. Those whose organizational duties include getting ammunition, food and other supplies for several platoons from point A to point B -- while being shot at. Imagine if you will having only one thing to clean...your weapon. Feel the burden not lighten from less cleaning responsibilities, but weigh down on shoulders barely out of high school. Shoulders that left wives and children behind in the states. Shoulders that have seen too much war and carried too many bodies. So in freedom I will organize my closet and remember.

Later this evening I will visit with friends. Friends of my own choosing who have seen good times and bad. But not compatriots. Compatriots are thrown together in the very worst of situations and their lives are forever intertwined. Whether they don envelope hats and march in parades or go on to live quiet lives out of the spotlight, on days like today they are never far from one another's mind. In their own gruff way, they love each other. Sometimes they even miss their buddy from their time at Normandy, or in Seoul or Saigon...the Delta, the jungle, on under or over the seas. Some, if not all, will think today of their buddy "Joe" or "Don" or "Rick" who didn't come back. For whom the wail of Taps echoed off the headstones of those gone on before. I'll think of "Joe" today as I sit - a free woman - and sip iced tea with friends.

And then, later, in a quiet time and a quiet place I'll speak the prayer my heart has been murmering all day long, "Oh God...thank you for the GIJoes and Janes who have given all that I may live in freedom. Thank you God that even today someone fights not only to ensure my continued freedom but to enable someone who hasn't known freedom the chance to breath it's fresh, clean air. Thank you God especially for those Joes and Janes who are serving Your higher calling. Those who, even as they obey the orders of men are praying for those still in bondage. Give them strength today and always Lord."

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

We're celebrating Earth Day! First we DROVE our 7 passenger mini-van (just the 2 of us) to a printing company to pick up their payment. They paid me with a check using profit they get from killing trees.Then, we went to the bank. Then we went and ate at KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN. We used styro plates and plastic forks. Paper napkins and to go cups.

Later today, instead of being frugal and having common sense in using dish towels - I will use paper towels to clean the sink. I will spray WINDEX on the surfaces, then flush the rinse water down the DRAIN. Later, I plan to take a 20 minute shower. At 8:00 this evening for the great "lights out" thingie we will be turning on every light in the house.Tomorrow I will return to my frugal ways, using dishtowels, not wasting water, using natural inexpensive cleaning products. I will cook & eat at home to conserve energy, money and gasoline. I will use my china and glassware and cloth napkins like I do every day.

In short, my "footprint" is smaller than most people's. And it is because of frugality and God's admonition to care for the earth and all in it.But on this day I refuse to participate in the environmentalism practiced by those who have nothing more meaningful than foisting their near religious ferver on the rest of us. I'll reject their admonition to "save the earth". I'm just not that narcissistic. I know one person can make a difference. That much is true. But teaching children that they can "save the earth" and there will be a utopian society is just setting them up for a fall. Sure, teach your children responsibility to our temporary home. Even non-Christians know they're but a wave tossed in the ocean when you look at the whole of history. But when your child is 30 and still hearing about the dying polar bears, they're going to figure it out. Hopefully.

The best way to celebrate Earth Day is each day to be sensible in your consumerism. Not letting the water run isn't just careless, it is costly. So is using disposables. And harsh chemicals that induce asthma attacks. Be each day a good steward of the home God has given us. But lets not worship it. After all, it is temporary.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Was it a morning like thisWhen the Son still hid from Jerusalem?And Mary rose from her bedTo tend the Lord She thought was dead

What is a morning like this,When Mary walked down from Jerusalem?And two angels stood at the tomb,Bearers of news she would hear soon.

Did the grass sing?Did the earth rejoiceTo feel you again?Over and over like aTrumpet underground,Did the earth seem to pound:“He is risen”over and overin a never ending round“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”

Was it an morning like this,When Peter and John from Jerusalem?And as they raced for the tomb,Beneath their feet was there a tune?

Was it a morning like this,When my Lord looked outOn Jerusalem?He is risen, alleluia, alleluia.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

We have some kids playing their music way too loud. I asked some friends for mucis suggestions to have a little fun and make a point. I now have a polka-Barry Manilow loaded boom box on the front porch. ;-) Someone wanted to know more, so here goes:

This is a nice neighborhood. No mcMansions here, but good, modestly sized houses. We still live here because a child born 3 months early at Vanderbilt costs around $1 million and we don’t do bankruptcy.

The first full day we lived here, there was a little boy with a deep, dark tan playing in our back yard. He was a cute little thing, around 6 and left to pretty much raise himself. Mama was an alcoholic. He hid when hubs called him down for throwing rocks at our metal outbuilding because he liked the sound.

Through the years, we befriended this little one and introduced him to our friend Jesus. When he was left outside on his own, we took him in and gave him a good meal. We always returned him back home safe and sound when his mom sobered up. One night hubby even picked his mama up out of the front yard and got her in when then-preteen boy could not.

Finally, the lure of money and the empty “love” offered by the streets in the city got him. For years we would only see him occasionally at WalMart (where he would yell - Mom! Dad! Caused some confusion, lol.) or when the police came looking for him. 9 years or so ago we found out he’d been dealing drugs and all the other bad stuff. He knew these other boys even then - and unbeknownst to us put the word out that anyone harming us or our home would be dealing with him and his gang.

3 years ago he showed up with the prettiest 2 children I’ve ever seen. The next day he sat on my porch (I don’t allow men inside when hubs isn’t home) and talked with my pastor. That day, he met - and accepted - my friend Jesus.

These are not bad children. Even if they were, they don’t really scare me. First I have my Father watching over me day and night. Secondly, I have Smith & Wesson doing the same. If I deal with them creatively, I know they will come asking. And I will have a chance to begin the cycle over again.

Monday, March 9, 2009

HR 875 The food police, criminalizing organic farming and the backyard gardener, and violation of the 10th amendment

This bill is sitting in committee and I am not sure when it is going to hit the floor. One thing I do know is that very few of the Representatives have read it. As usual they will vote on this based on what someone else is saying. Urge your members to read the legislation and ask for opposition to this devastating legislation. Devastating for everyday folks but great for factory farming ops like Monsanto, ADM, Sodexo and Tyson to name a few.

I have no doubt that this legislation was heavily influenced by lobbyists from huge food producers. This legislation is so broad based that technically someone with a little backyard garden could get fined and have their property siezed. It will effect anyone who produces food even if they do not sell but only consume it. It will literally put all independent farmers and food producers out of business due to the huge amounts of money it will take to conform to factory farming methods. If people choose to farm without industry standards such as chemical pesticides and fertilizers they will be subject to a vareity of harassment from this completely new agency that has never before existed. That's right, a whole new government agency is being created just to police food, for our own protection of course.

DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, READ THIS LEGISLATION FOR YOURSELF. The more people who read this legislation the more insight we are going to get and be able to share. Post your observations and insights below. Urge your members to read this legislation and to oppose the passage of this legislation.

Pay special attention to* Section 3 which is the definitions portion of the bill-read in it's entirety. * section 103, 206 and 207- read in it's entirety.Red flags I found and I am sure there are more...........* Legally binds state agriculture depts to enforcing federal guidelines effectively taking away the states power to do anything other than being food police for the federal dept. * Effectively criminalizes organic farming but doesn't actually use the word organic. * Effects anyone growing food even if they are not selling it but consuming it. * Effects anyone producing meat of any kind including wild game. * Legislation is so broad based that every aspect of growing or producing food can be made illegal. There are no specifics which is bizarre considering how long the legislation is. * Section 103 is almost entirely about the administrative aspect of the legislation. It will allow the appointing of officials from the factory farming corporations and lobbyists and classify them as experts and allow them to determine and interpret the legislation. Who do you think they are going to side with? * Section 206 defines what will be considered a food production facility and what will be enforced up all food production facilities. The wording is so broad based that a backyard gardener could be fined and more. * Section 207 requires that the state's agriculture dept act as the food police and enforce the federal requirements. This takes away the states power and is in violation of the 10th amendment. * There are many more but by the time I got this far in the legislation I was so alarmed that I wanted to bring someone's attention to it. (to the one person who reads my blog)

Didn't Stalin nationalize farming methods that enabled his administration to gain control over the food supply? Didn't Stalin use the food to control the people?

Last word...... Legislate religion and enforce gag orders on ministers on what can and can't be said in the pulpit, instituting regulations forcing people to rely soley on the government, control the money and the food. What is that called? It is on the tip of my tongue..........I haven't read any of the Senate's version of the bill as I have been poring thru the House's version. Here is the link and I hope some of you can take a look and post your observations and insights below. One thing I am pretty sure of is that very few if any Senator's have actually read the legislation and when it comes up for a vote they will more than likely take someone else's word on how they should vote. The other thing I am pretty sure about is that the legislation was probably written by lobbyists and industry experts.

Things you can do1. Contact your members at 202-224-3121 and ask them to oppose HR 875 and S 425. While you are at it ask them if they personally have read the legislation and what their position is? If they have not read the legislation ask them to read it and politely let them know that just because other representitives are not reading the legislation and voting on it does not mean they can do the same. 2. Get in touch with local farmers and food producers by attending a local farmers market and asking them how business is. 3. Attend a local WAPF meeting, this is a good start to learning about what is going on in farming and local & state initiatives . The website is http://www.westonaprice.org/localchapters/index.html 4. Check out the Farmers Legal Defense Fund at http://www.ftcldf.org/index.html 5. Find out who sits on your states agriculture and farming committee and contact them with your concerns. 6. Continue to contact your elected officials and let them know your position on legislation and why. 7. Get active at the local and state levels, this is the quickest way to initiate change.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Thursday, January 8, 2009

This will affect me and a good number of my friends. And I'm ANGRY. So angry I cannot write about it. I'll let the good folks at World Net Daily do that for me. Feel free to use the ribbon graphic. It is my quickie design and bears my signature. Please link to my blog in kind return. Thanks.

A new government regulation scheduled to take effect next month has thousands of retailers, thrift stores and small businesses worried they will be forced to permanently close their doors – and destroy their merchandise.

The law is expected to have such a devastating impact that Feb. 10 is now unofficially known as "National Bankruptcy Day."

Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, or HR 4040, a retroactive rule mandating that all items sold for use by children under 12 must be tested by an independent party for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable.

All untested items, regardless of lead content, are to be declared "banned hazardous products.'' The CPSC has already determined the law applies to every children's item on shelves, not just to items made beginning Feb. 10.

The regulations could force thousands of businesses – especially smaller ones that cannot afford the cost of lead testing – to throw away truckloads of children's clothing, books, toys, furniture and other children's items and even force them to close their doors.

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Valerie Jacobsen and her husband, Paul, support their family of 13 by selling literature at Jacobsen Books in Clinton, Wis. Her family has contracts with local libraries to buy and sell overstocked books – an arrangement that draws income for both parties.

However, Jacobsen told WND that lead testing is estimated to cost $100 to $400 for each of her used children's books because she does not buy in bulk, and each batch of merchandise is required to be tested.

"There's a big difference between me and Wal-Mart or Toys 'R' Us," she said. "They'll have a batch of 50,000. Everything I have is a batch of one because I don't know its history. I'm looking at a testing cost of about $1.2 million. I would normally sell my full inventory of all children's products for probably $15,000. So, it's effectively a ban."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that lead testing requirements apply to children's books, cassettes and CDs, printed game boards, posters and other printed goods used for children's education. While it does claim some printing inks will be exempt, paper, cardboard, bindings, glues, laminates and other inks are still subject to regulation and require testing.

Jacobsen said that unless the new law is repealed or substantially modified, it could devastate her family business.

"I don't want to stop selling children's books on Feb. 9," she said. "I need that income. We provide a lot of reading for a lot of little kids. I went into this business because I thought that books were good for children's mental development. That opinion hasn't changed. And the government's ruling is essentially saying they're hazardous for children's mental development because they might contain lead. We just have no evidence that they do."

Jacobsen said she often shops at second-hand stores for her 11 children because she can buy quality clothing at low prices.

"Over the years I have always tried to make the most of our money, so we'll go to Goodwill," she said. "To be honest, I'd rather go to Goodwill and get a brand-name item that's hardly been worn and pay $3.99 for it than to go to Wal-Mart and pay $13.99 for something that in six weeks from now is not going to worth anything."

But now some thrift and consignment stores are in a panic over the new regulation because it extends to children's clothing, shoes and other items as well.

Cindy Retmier owns a consignment store called Jordan's Closet in El Dorado Hills, Calif. She told KXTV News 10 that the law could close her business.

"[W]e've been passing kids clothing down for centuries," she said. "Now all of sudden you can't do it because there might be too much lead in one item out of a thousand? I mean it's ridiculous they've taken it to the extent they've taken it right now."

She estimates testing for each of her clothing articles to run between $300 and $1,500. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it may consider exempting clothing and toys made from natural materials such as wool or wood, but paint and dyes on the products are still required to be tested.

"We only sell stuff for an average of $10 so, of course that doesn't make sense," Ritmier said.

Even Goodwill Industries told the station it may be forced to stop selling clothing and other children's items if testing is too expensive. The move could affect consumers who donate items for tax write-offs if the stores are not able to sell them.

"A huge hit for us and a huge hit for consumers that are trying to save a dollar in this economy," Goodwill's Mark Klingler told KXTV. "We'll have to analyze it. It may involve not selling if we can't realistically test everything."

Likewise, Shauna Sloan, founder of the Salt Lake City-based Kid to Kid Franchise, which sells used children's clothing in 75 stores across the country, told the Los Angeles Times his business could end.

"We will have to lock our doors and file for bankruptcy," he said.

All children's toys and furniture also fall under strict requirements for independent lead and phthalate testing. Some small toy businesses say lead testing alone costs more than $4,000 per item – a price some say only large companies like Mattel and Fisher Price can afford to pay.

"The only people who can do that now are the ones who actually put this scare into effect and actually caused the problem," Amy Evan's, owner of Baby's Boutique in Chico, Calif., told CBS' KHSL.

Shelsie Hall told KXTV she makes hair bows and jewelry for children and sells them online to support her family.

Now her small business is threatened by the measure because those products must be tested.

"[M]y items sell for $4 to $10 and I make a lot of different things. So I couldn't just test one; I would have to test every item," she said.

One blogger who identifies herself as "Tina" has a home-based business making and selling cloth diapers online. She said a U.S. lab quoted a price of $75 to test each component of her diapers.

"I have at least two different fabrics, thread, snaps and elastic in a diaper," she wrote. "$375 to test each different combination of fabrics/snaps/thread/size combinations? That is insane."

She continued, "I am but one of many micro-manufacturers who will be forced to give up the American dream of owning my own business because of this legislation."

Tina said retailers purchase inventory with loans secured by the value of that inventory.

"What happens to these lenders and retailers when the value of that inventory goes to zero?" she asked. "It is conceivable, at least to me, that retailers will be the next group in front of Congress asking for a bailout."

The act's broad wording could extend to children's items sold on eBay, Craig's List, Amazon. Critics also say landfills will be hit hard if stores, distributors and families simply throw their untested items away rather than face prosecution. And new clothing, toys, furniture and books at large retailers could become more expensive to cover third-party testing costs.

While the Consumer Product Safety Commission administers the law, it may only be changed by Congress. Some exemptions approved Tuesday by the commission's two members, but not formally adopted, include the following:

Items with lead parts that a child cannot access;Clothing, toys and other goods made of natural materials such as cotton and wood; andElectronics that are impossible to make without lead.But the tentative exemptions do little to reassure most businesses and families who will be affected by the law. Final rules are not scheduled for approval until after Feb. 10, when the rules take effect.

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Il., sponsored the measure along with 106 co-sponsors. In the House of Representatives, 424 members voted for the act, nine voted "present" and a single member voted against it – Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas.

In the Senate, the totals were 89 for, eight "present" and three against – Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.

President George Bush signed it into law on Aug. 14, 2008.

The measure raises the CPSC budget each year until 2015, at which time the agency's budget would be $156 million. It also allows state attorneys general to take civil action against those who violate the strict regulations.

While some may continue to sell their children's products and disobey the law, Jacobsen told WND she's not taking any chances at her bookstore.

"Would I ever get caught? Probably not," she said. "But they are talking about $100,000 fines and jail terms of up to five years. I'm not comfortable operating with that law on the books."

Instead, she said she will fight the measure and raise public awareness.

"I'm planning to put a chain across our children's department and put up a sign that says, "Banned hazardous material,'" she said. "I'll ask my customers as they come in to please write their congressmen, call senators and get the word out there. I will tell them, 'I can let you in now,' but four weeks from now, I won't be able to do that."

Jacobsen's plans don't stop there.

"I am going to go to my legislator's office, and I'm going to take my children's books there," she said. "I'm going to ask him, 'Do you want me to put these in the landfill? Do you want me to burn these?' What am I going to do with them? I can't just warehouse them until they come to their senses."

She suggested the public begin writing and calling lawmakers and demanding exemptions to the law.

"I think the whole thing should be trashed, personally," she said. "It was so short-sighted. People who were doing the importing of lead are going to be rewarded when little companies like mine go under. When you take everything on a retailer's shelf and tell them they cannot sell it, that's bankruptcy."

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About Me

I really enjoy scrapping, reading, crafts of all kinds, cooking - pretty much all the home arts. I believe a woman's place is in the home as much as possible. More than anything, I aspire to be a Godly woman as defined by Proverbs 31 and Titus 2.